MoSi 2 WSi 2 powders have been synthesized by means of self propagating high temperature combustion. It was found that not only MoSi 2 WSi 2 but also Mo 5Si 3 W 5Si 3 can be synthesized by this method when suitable ratios of Mo, W and Si powders were used. As the W content increases, the adiabatic temperature of reactive system decreases, which influences the synthesis process. It is also confirmed that MoSi 2 WSi 2 and Mo 5Si 3 W 5Si 3 exist as solid solutions of [Mo (1-x) ,W x]Si 2 and [Mo (1-y) ,W y] 5Si 3, respectively.